Sometimes technical clothing can be, well… too technical. Who wants to own a pair of pants that can only be worn in one situation. I like versatility, I like to own clothing that can function equally well on the trail or in the city and that is precisely why I like The Karl Trousers by Fjallraven. These pants are perfectly suited for the campground, the office, or the airplane.
But, Fjallraven did not sacrifice any technical prowess when they designed these cargo pants. Made from their durable G-1000 silent fabric (a quieter, slightly softer version of their regular G-1000), the Karl Trousers are also infused with Fjallraven’s Greenland wax. This gives the pants a little more wind and water resistance than you would expect from a normal polyester cotton blend. I’ve found them to hold up well in a light rain while walking around the city and I really appreciate the added wind and abrasion resistance when I wear them to go hiking.
I also like the pockets on these pants. Sometime the side pockets on cargo pants can be too big and kind of bulky. But the pocket design on the Karl Trousers feels a little more streamlined. The left side pocket has a vertical zipper and is the perfect place to stash your phone, while the right side pocket has a more traditional snap flap and is large enough for a folded up map, a power bar or whatever else you might need. There are also two roomy back pockets, two front pockets and another little side pocket on the left leg that is big enough to hold a decent size pocket knife. All of the zippers, buttons and snaps are solidly made. The pants fit true to size and are comfortable to wear.
One aspect of the pants that I was a little skeptical of at first, but am now a big believer in, is the fact that they come in a raw length either long or short. One trip to the tailor or to your sewing machine in the basement and you are assured a perfect fit. For people that have a hard time finding pants with the right inseam, this is a huge plus. The pants also come with a slightly pre-shaped knee bend, which only adds to their overall comfort and flexibility. While they’re not necessarily the best pair of pants to wear snowshoeing, they’re an ideal choice for just about anything else.
The good:
- Comfortable
- wind/water resistance
- plenty of pockets
- good fit
- stylish
- lightweight
- packs down small
The bad:
- not ideal for snowshoeing…(but they make other pants that are)
Available in multiple colors from Fjallraven for $140.00
Boring stuff: I was given a free sample for this review. This did not affect the opinions I expressed. All images by Fjallraven.
